It's a subject with what seems to be an endless list of details and trivia. We have all the standard names and years, okay I'm clear with those. Then there is the over lap years and who gets design credit. We add on the Sporsters and V-rods (can't forget those!). How about the variations with the Twin Cam family: 88", 96" and now the 103"? Do they get their own names or are they all just twinkies. Riding a Harley does require their owners to know these things. It just comes with the territory.

 

Best thing about threads such as these is they might inspire someone to dig into the history of HD. And then some fun stuff pops up - If HD started in 1903 why did they celebrate their 50th anniversary in 1954?

Some good reading:
At the Creation by Wagner
Harley-Davidson, 1930-1941 by Wagner
How to Restore Your Harley-Davidson by Palmer

And understand that the "Official" HD history is full of errors. Most of the mistakes result from using the sales hype as "gospel".

 

In light of all the newbies I see around here. I thought this might clear things up:
Flathead 1909-1936
This is the motor that put Harlet on top of the motorcycle races in the twenties.

Knucklehead 1936-1947
Harley's first overhead valve V-Twin.

Panhead 1948-1965
Improved engine design with hydraulic lifters.

Shovelhead 1966-1983
The distinctive enclosed cylinder head sets it apart.

Evolution 1984-1999
The now famous AMF engine. Harley also went public during this time

Twincam 1999 - present
Harley's first twincam

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++



Biker "NUT"

Please,,, At least be correct in Ur posting if Ur trying to help out the NEWBIE's

Ur still at the grass hopper stage from the info Ur passing on...

But at least Ur trying to help, which is more than some in her do..



.

 

Isn't that the truth , I've got at least a dozen large hardback books with pictures supposedly covering the " Official " history and not one of them has the same details .

 

Well, nobody bit. I've always been a fan of this very rare model. It was designed for use in N. Africa in WWII. Opposed flat twin w/ shaft drive. (Thank you BMW). Sidecar models also had shaft drive for the sidecar wheel so these things could go well in the desert sand. Never saw action though, as by the time in the war that production was ramping up, the Jeep had established itself as the main dispatch vehicle and the Africa theater was all but won. None-the-less, a cool bike with fewer then 1,000 examples built and very few surviving. I had the pleasure of seeing one in running condition at Reading, PA WWII days a few years back. http://www.google.com/search?q=harle...w=1280&bih=690

 

It is important to remember here than the common definition of an "expert" is that this is just a guy from out of town. I believe Patrick Swayze (Road House) summed it up pretty well; "Opinions vary".

My guess is that the original poster of this thread will think 3 times before he tries to offer to help anyone again. And well he should. This is a tough place to offer up help what with all the self appointed "experts".

 

Now why would I want to do that?
First off I never said I was an expert.
Second at least we are talking about HD's and not about pirate suits and such.
Third let's have a beer and talk about bikes sand woman